Horoscope (December 21, 2010)

It was a long night, and the total lunar eclipse could be blamed for some less than heartening thoughts or dreams. But the full Gemini moon has also given us a sense of community, and there’s something else to celebrate now, too: The sun enters Capricorn and promises to stick around a little longer each day — at least until next time!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you feel that you keep repeating the same behavior over and over again, today provides just the pattern interruption you need. It’s like a great cosmic throat clear — “ahem” — that somehow startles you onto a new path.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s not about finding the right person for you; it’s about being the right person for you. Give yourself a treat to show your love. Nothing fancy is necessary, just a gesture that says you’re paying attention to your own needs.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The shift in consciousness that you need is not difficult to make. Rather, it’s so easy that you might even call it fun. Do what you want to do. There, it’s that simple!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). If you want to get results, you have to be the squeaky wheel. Normally, you are too cool to take this approach, and yet there are times, like now, when being cool is seriously overrated.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There will be a lull in the action, and it comes at the perfect moment. Now you can sit back and figure out just how to make the most of the recent turn of events. Strategize.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Because of your charm, grace and charisma, you’ll be in a position to keep the social brew bubbling. If you only follow one rule this evening, make it this one: Never be boring.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll be in a position to learn about others. You’ll ask questions and focus intently on the answers. Instead of relaying everything about your own situation that comes to mind, you simply listen.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). While someone you know is dreaming about tomorrow, you’ll be busy making today worth remembering. You’ll have many spontaneous and creative notions about how to accomplish this.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You might try and miss today, which is to be expected for someone who is still learning. You’re going to get it eventually if you keep trying. On the other hand, if you don’t try, you’re guaranteed to miss.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You sync up with nature in some way, perhaps by connecting with an animal or getting out into the open air. There is a deep feeling of contentment within you because you are in harmony with the natural world.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You may feel compelled to tell your side of a story, especially because the other sides of the story seem to be riddled with half-truths. If it’s imperative that you say your piece, leave quickly afterward.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your sign can change moods as quickly as a chameleon changes colors. But today you’ll be in a state of mind that you want to hang on to for as long as possible. External circumstances cannot change this.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 21). The year starts off on a streak of financial luck. You courageously attempt things at which you are not an expert and wind up broadening your horizons. New people come into your life in January. You land in peculiar circumstances in February and find a way to shine. May brings fun dates. July brings travel. Cancer and Aries people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 4, 20, 22 and 19.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “What do you have to say to a Scorpio who is meeting the boyfriend’s family for the first time over the Christmas holiday? I thought it was a bad idea at first because it seemed like I’d be an outsider and my boyfriend’s family is so large and close-knit. But my boyfriend insists they’ll love me and will be in a very good mood to receive me over the holidays. I’m super-nervous that this might be a bad idea. Plus, how will we handle sleeping arrangements? I practically live with my boyfriend now, but his parents don’t know that.”

You won’t handle the sleeping arrangements. His parents will do that. Wherever they tell you to put your stuff, that’s where you’ll sleep. Resolve to go with the flow, and you’ll do fine. Scorpios sometimes make the mistake of assuming they must impress people by being more honest and direct than most people would be. Don’t do that. Instead, be agreeable and friendly and try to fit in. Talk about surface things like the weather, how pretty the decorations are, fun customs and the like. Have a stock of lighthearted conversation starters in your back pocket. And most of all, enjoy yourself.